The college basketball offseason is still defined by change, especially in an era where there is a lot of rapid roster turnover. The transfer portal has become as crucial as recruiting and player development for teams such as the Duke Blue Devils. Every addition or departure from a roster not only shifts its course but also has ripple effects on former teammates, rivals, and players all around the nation.
As movement involving guard DeShawn Harris-Smith became official this week, that was the case once again. After playing for Maryland and Georgetown, the former athlete chose Delaware as his next college stop.
The transfer itself makes Delaware’s squad deeper, but it also grabbed the attention of the entire college basketball community, even among the current Duke players.
One of those who responded was Duke big man Patrick Ngongba II, who immediately recognized the news on social media.
DeShawn Harris-Smith arrives in Delaware
Harris-Smith has had a very unusual career. The 6-foot-5 guard started his career at Maryland before switching to Georgetown, where he eventually quit the program. With Delaware, he now gets another chance to revive his position and output at the collegiate level.
As part of its most recent group of transfer additions, Delaware formally announced the signing. Bringing in a player with experience at a high major institution adds both talent and flexibility to the backcourt for the program.
Patrick Ngongba II Reaction of Shares
Ngongba shared the news on his Instagram story shortly after it became public. Although the post lacked a lengthy description, reposting the signing was an obvious sign that Harris-Smith was taking the next step.
Ngongba has established himself as one of the team’s most crucial components after recently announcing that he will be back at Duke for the 2026–27 campaign. After a breakout sophomore season where he averaged 10. 1 points, 5. 8 rebounds, and 1. 1 blocks per game while making more than 60% of his shots from the field, the 6-11 center is now on the market.
His reappearance provides the Blue Devils continuity as they approach the next year, and his emergence as an interior presence and defensive anchor was crucial to Duke’s victory last season.
The Transfer Portal continues to influence the scene.
The increasing fluidity of the collegiate game is demonstrated by actions such as Harris-Smith’s. Whether it’s more playing time, a different system, or just a new beginning, players are always looking for the perfect fit.
In the meantime, responses from athletes like Ngongba demonstrate the continued connectedness of the college basketball community. Players throughout the nation continue to monitor and acknowledge each other’s journeys, even if they are not immediately related to the program.
More moves are anticipated as the offseason goes on, and each one will produce similar occurrences throughout the game.
